[Nfbkpbc] homeschooling?

Sun Jan 13 18:36:17 CST 2008

Document these incidents with homework and the cane, etc.  Keep a log of all
of this as evidence that Annmarie is in the wrong school (and evidence that
this teacher is obviously inadequate). I know you don't want to get
adversarial with JCPS, but you do need to be assertive.  Find out what legal
ground you have to stand on and get to understand it.  Then, at the next IEP
meeting you can let them know that you feel Annmarie's rights are being
violated and you'll take legal action next.  If there is anything I can do
(and I mean that) I will.  If you would like some of us parents to go with
you to the IEP meeting to help advocate for Annmarie, we can do that.  If
you need to vent when the sheer absurdity of this situation has become more
than you care to take, we'll have a shoulder for you.  Please tap into this
resource.  I know we've not been a very large and active group for a while,
but we still need to work together for our kids. 
Melanie

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbkpbc-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbkpbc-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of yountaqua at aol.com
Sent: Sunday, January 13, 2008 10:26 AM
To: nfbkpbc at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [Nfbkpbc] homeschooling?

Hmm... Well, I could definately tell some stories!? And I have kept the
homework with the misspelled spelling words, etc.? 

BTW, has anyone here ever heard of a geometric shape called a primid?? I
cannot figure out what this is.? I sent a note back to school that I did not
know what a primid was, had never heard of it.? It came back with a drawing
that looked something like a 4-sided pyramid with a flat top.? But when I
google "primid", I can't find any shapes, only characters from a Mario
game.? Do you think she was trying to spell pyramid?

So many things like that.? Every time I hear Annmarie call her cane a
"stick" I cringe.? :-(

Kathryn

-----Original Message-----
From: Jayne Seif <jaynep20 at insightbb.com>
To: NFB of Kentucky Parents of Blind Children List <nfbkpbc at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sun, 13 Jan 2008 8:43 am
Subject: Re: [Nfbkpbc] homeschooling?

They actually did it themselves.  I guess you couldn't argue with our saying
that we had visited the school and seen a blind kid sitting there tapping
the table while his sighted teacher cut out his print work.  I think you
should use all the stories you can gather.  And the other thing I said was
all we can do is try it for a year and see if it works.  You don't have to
say you want her to stay there forever, even if you do.  Act like it can be
a trial basis thing.  Once she is there and has made wonderful strides they
will have no argument for pulling her out.

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbkpbc-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbkpbc-bounces at nfbnet.org]On
Behalf Of yountaqua at aol.com
Sent: Friday, January 11, 2008 8:44 AM
To: nfbkpbc at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [Nfbkpbc] homeschooling?

So, how did you do this?? Do you just grab the IEP and write that on there
yourself?? Then see who signs it?? lol

-----Original Message-----
From: Jayne Seif <jaynep20 at insightbb.com>
To: NFB of Kentucky Parents of Blind Children List <nfbkpbc at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Fri, 11 Jan 2008 8:37 am
Subject: Re: [Nfbkpbc] homeschooling?

They don't have to approve.  Taryn's IEP stated that Taryn was being placed
at KSB without the recommendation of the county and because they could not
come to a consensus with the parents.

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbkpbc-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbkpbc-bounces at nfbnet.org]On
Behalf Of yountaqua at aol.com
Sent: Friday, January 11, 2008 8:09 AM
To: nfbkpbc at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [Nfbkpbc] homeschooling?

Thanks, Nickie.? It would seem that it should be the parents' choice, but it
is not.? Both KSB and JCPS are aware that I want Annmarie to go there.? KSB
will not take her without JCPS....well, let me rephrase that.? It has to be
an ARC decision.? The ARC is made up of me and a bunch of people from JCPS.?
So, basically, it is JCPS decision.? They override me.? They have to give
their approval of it, and they won't agree to it.? They say they can provide
an appropriate education for her.? Even if I do not agree, they are the
educators, so they know best.

I would like to know what resources I do have available to change this.? I
don't know what can be done.? I feel like I have exhausted my options.

I know other parents have gotten their children into KSB through JCPS.? I
can't tell that I am doing anything differently than they have.? The people
I have talked to have told me they just said they wanted their child to got
KSB and it was done.? Not working now.? So, what's up?

We are thinking maybe JCPS let some through then realized they have a
situation and decided not to let anymore go through.? Not sure.? It is going
to take time and seeing if they block all future students from going to KSB
or if they let some through, and if so, what criteria they use for deciding
who they will let go and who they block.

Meanwhile, KSB employees are telling me off the record to move to another
county and I won't have a problem.? But that is not an option, because I
have a high schooler at a JCPS school.? She is very happy and excelling at
her school.? I cannot ask her to move.? But it is a terrible choice.

Kathryn

-----Original Message-----
From: Nickie <njp at insightbb.com>
To: NFB of Kentucky Parents of Blind Children List <nfbkpbc at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 9:50 pm
Subject: Re: [Nfbkpbc] homeschooling?

Hi Catherine,

    I too am sorry to here you are having so much trouble with JCPS but, I
don't understand. What you mean by KSB is not an option?  If that is where
you want your child then JCPS and KSB have to place her there.
    Don't let anyone tell you it can not be done.  Melanie is right, you
have
some remarkable resources you can turn to.

Nickie

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbkpbc-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbkpbc-bounces at nfbnet.org]On
Behalf Of Melanie
Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2008 5:33 PM
To: 'NFB of Kentucky Parents of Blind Children List'
Subject: Re: [Nfbkpbc] homeschooling?

Kathryn, I'm so sorry to hear that you're having so much trouble. It sounds
terrible!  Why is JCPS keeping Annmarie from attending KSB?  That seems like
a no-brainer to me.  She seemed to do very well there during the summer
camp.  Surely JCPS doesn't think that Breckenridge is the least restrictive
environment for her!?!  WHY did the O&M instructor try to take away her
cane?  I'm so sorry you're going through this, Kathryn.  You have some good
advocates on your side with the NFB.  My best advice would be to contact
Kenny & Maria Jones, Jayne Seif, Cathy Jackson and get on the national
parents list which can be found at www.nfbnet.org - you need to talk to
other parents who've been there and done that.  Don't let this get the best
of you.  Keep your end goal in sight and stay focused on achieving it.
Take care,
Melanie

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbkpbc-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbkpbc-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of yountaqua at aol.com
Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2008 2:13 PM
To: nfbkpbc at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [Nfbkpbc] homeschooling?

Hi Melanie,
I really think Annmarie belongs at KSB, but it seems like that door is
closed for us.? I am just so disgusted with what JCPS has to offer us, and
that they are keeping her from going to KSB.? The homework Annmarie is
bringing home is just so inappropriate and frustrating.? I am sure she must
be facing similar issues in the classroom, but I am not there to know what
is going on.

I am just trying to figure out what to do.? Annmarie is 2 years behind and I
am certain her situation is not getting any better the longer she stays at
JCPS.

I refused to sign her IEP when we met in December.? Next year JCPS wants to
put her in an autism unit.? Her pediatrician is stating he does not think
she is autistic.? The psychologist at JCPS...well, I can't put any stock in
what he says.? I don't think he knows what he is doing when it comes to
testing blind children.? That is a whole other story.? But they are basing
all of their decisions on these test results.

I'm just disgusted.? Every night when we sit down to do homework I feel more
and more frustrated with the situation.

One thing I learned at the IEP meeting is that in art the other students are
making masks, but Annmarie is given coloring.? WHY?? The O&M instructor
wanted to take Annmarie's cane away from her.? Just one thing after another
all year long that is inappropriate.? And this is at Breckinridge, their
vision classroom.? Ugh!

Just totally fed up and frustrated.? Trying to do what is best for my child,
since I can't get her into KSB, which is what she needs.

How are you all doing?? How are your adorable kids?

Kathryn

-----Original Message-----
From: Melanie <mpeskoe at insightbb.com>
To: 'NFB of Kentucky Parents of Blind Children List' <nfbkpbc at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thu, 10 Jan 2008 1:55 pm
Subject: Re: [Nfbkpbc] homeschooling?

Sorry I can't help you there Kathryn.  I've often thought about the idea of
homeschooling, but really don't think I have what it takes.  Anyhow, what's
going on and why are you fed up?  I'm sorry to hear that.
Melanie

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbkpbc-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbkpbc-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of yountaqua at aol.com
Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2008 1:11 PM
To: nfbkpbc at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Nfbkpbc] homeschooling?

Anyone here homeschooling, or know anyone homeschooling, their blind child??
I'm getting really fed up.

Thanks,
Kathryn
________________________________________________________________________
More new features than ever.  Check out the new AOL Mail ! -
http://webmail.aol.com
_______________________________________________
Nfbkpbc mailing list
Nfbkpbc at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbkpbc

________________________________________________________________________
More new features than ever.  Check out the new AOL Mail ! -
http://webmail.aol.com
_______________________________________________
Nfbkpbc mailing list
Nfbkpbc at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbkpbc
_______________________________________________
Nfbkpbc mailing list
Nfbkpbc at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbkpbc

________________________________________________________________________
More new features than ever.  Check out the new AOL Mail ! -
http://webmail.aol.com
_______________________________________________
Nfbkpbc mailing list
Nfbkpbc at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbkpbc

________________________________________________________________________
More new features than ever.  Check out the new AOL Mail ! -
http://webmail.aol.com